<– Day 16 – Apr. 4th: The Borrego Springs Jeep | OVERVIEW | Day 18 – Apr. 6th: Wurlitzer to Wigwam –>
We didn’t do a lot today. I got caught up on emails and ewillys, worked out (trying to do a better job of that this trip), and relaxed. We also slept. A lot.
Oh yeah, we also ate some ice cream, too. At a Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor no less (Ed Note, as of Dec 2020, the site is no longer live).
When Ann and I were kids Farrell’s was the place to go for birthday parties (Me in Renton, She in Pasco). Farrell’s was loud, crazy and sugarlicious. Then in the mid-1980s Farrell’s closed quickly. The reasons for the closures are hinted at in this history of Farrells: http://www.farrellsusa.com/history-of-fun.php
So, when Ann found a brochure for Farrell’s in the lobby of our hotel, she got very excited. After unsuccessfully trying to convince me that we should have Farrell’s ice cream for breakfast, we agreed to go yesterday afternoon. Even better, it was located on old Route 66 (not that there’s anything left over from the original Route 66).
Picture on the wall outside of Farrells in Rancho Cucamonga
Though the wait was long, we enjoyed ourselves. The place still captured the spirit and look of the original Farrell’s. There is still the famous Zoo on the menu (feeds hordes of children). The sounds of birthday songs and drum banging reverberated throughout the restaurant. The ice cream was better than dairy queen, but certainly no Zingers. But, that’s okay. It’s all about the fun and about recapturing good memories from bygone youthful days.
A very happy wife. This was the first ice cream of the trip. No more until we hit Zingers in Oregon.
Sunday we get to hear a Mighty Wurlitzer Organ and receive a short, behind the scenes tour of it.
<– Day 16 – Apr. 4th: The Borrego Springs Jeep | OVERVIEW | Day 18 – Apr. 6th: Wurlitzer to Wigwam –>
That’s where I met my Wife. She worked there. I loved to visit here there. The freebees were great. Sad when it closed in Orlando, FL.
Dave,
Do they still have the ‘pig trough?’ I remember several stomachs induced by that challenge,.
Bill
We saw the zoo, but didn’t look for the pig trough. I would be surprised if they didn’t have it. I will say the food coming out of the kitchen looked better than I remember it.
Two of my fondest memories from visiting my grandparents in Scottsdale in the 1970’s were chasing roadrunners around the desert in Grandpa’s 1963 CJ-5, and going to Farrell’s for ice cream!
We used to go to the Farrell’s in Scottsdale also back in the late 70s and early 80s. Great ice cream. The Sugar shack in Scottsdale is still there and going strong. Both places were close together.
Your photos of Farrell’s brings back so many memories. Going to the Farrell’s at Southcenter or Northgate was always a fun family treat growing up. Loved the candy buttons we often got while waiting in line. I did once “Make a Pig of Myself” at Farrell’s.
I’ve enjoyed wandering through your blog this evening after discovering it through the Visit Carson City Facebook page. 🙂
Hi Alisa,
I’m glad you enjoyed the memories. Given how busy the Farrell’s in southern California seem to be (based on the Yelp reviews I read), I don’t think it will be long before they’ll be back in the Seattle area. 🙂
– Dave